How do β-blockers and diuretics affect exercise safety in hypertension?

How do β-blockers and diuretics affect exercise safety in hypertension?

• A. They improve thermoregulation
• B. They cause dehydration
• C. They can impair thermoregulation and increase hypoglycaemia risk
• D. They have no effect

Answer: (C)

Medications used for hypertension can alter how safely someone can exercise by affecting heat loss and glucose regulation. During exercise, the body relies on sweating and increased skin blood flow to dissipate heat. Beta-blockers blunt the heart’s ability to raise its rate and output during activity, which can limit the cardiovascular drive needed for adequate cooling and endurance. Diuretics promote fluid loss, lowering plasma volume and reducing sweat capacity, which makes dehydration and overheating more likely. Together, these effects can impair thermoregulation and raise the risk of overheating during physical activity. In addition, beta-blockers can mask symptoms of falling blood glucose and can blunt glucose production during exercise, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia for people who also take diabetes medications. So the combined impact is: impaired thermoregulation and higher hypoglycemia risk.

Medications used for hypertension can alter how safely someone can exercise by affecting heat loss and glucose regulation. During exercise, the body relies on sweating and increased skin blood flow to dissipate heat. Beta-blockers blunt the heart’s ability to raise its rate and output during activity, which can limit the cardiovascular drive needed for adequate cooling and endurance. Diuretics promote fluid loss, lowering plasma volume and reducing sweat capacity, which makes dehydration and overheating more likely. Together, these effects can impair thermoregulation and raise the risk of overheating during physical activity.

In addition, beta-blockers can mask symptoms of falling blood glucose and can blunt glucose production during exercise, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia for people who also take diabetes medications. So the combined impact is: impaired thermoregulation and higher hypoglycemia risk.